2137

I awoke from a fruitless sleep and put my feet on the cold tile floor. I walked over to the rectangularly shaped window and looked outside. It was cloudy outside and drizzling. Tokyo looked so miserable in the morning rain,even in the year 2137. Ken Onigawa was only twenty-five percent Japanese, but had lived in Tokyo all 19 years of his life. I walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. A half eaten bag of pork rinds, A nearly empty gallon of milk, No eggs, No bacon. Great. He said. Nothin ta eat. Maybe I could borrow some stuff from Mina? He thought. So he slipped on a jacket and went out the door. It was raining even harder now, Ken pulled up his hood. As he walked down the street he heard lots of things. A man complaining about a traffic ticket, Some ambulance sirens, And a couple arguing. He turned the corner on Kyoko and 7Th, Mina’s house was the second on the left. He walked up the houses steps and gave the door a solid knock. There was shufflinginside then the door clicked open, A eighteen year old girl with a black boyish haircut answered the door. Oh, hey Ken do you need something? She said. Yeah, Oh you look soaked. She said, cutting him off. Come on in. She said. Sure. He said, nervously stepping inside. How did the P.I.T. Testing go? She asked. General Mazama said my Pilot Intelligence Test scores were good. She said I’m to join the Robotic Armed Forces next year in January.He said, scratching his head nervously. Wow, Nine months. She said. You know people get killed out there, You sure you wanna do this Ken? She said, concern clearly showing in her voice. Well, he sighed, I havent got much choice. My landlord said if I don’t make the next payment he’ll kick me out. So in short your in financial trouble. Yeah, pretty much. He said a little embarrassed. Well, Ken I can’t help you with your money problem but if you need a place to stay I’m available. Thanks, Mina. He said his cheeks turning beet red. But one question, where are your parents? She asked. They died in a car accident when I was five. Oh, I’m so sorry. She said. And my foster parents died last year. He looked at the clock on the wall, It was ten o’clock. Well, Mina I gotta go get ready for work. Okay Ken, here. She handed him a piece of paper with a number written on it. My phone number if you need something. Thanks, see ya Mina. He said his mood a bit happier. On the way home he thought long and hard about Mina’s offer. Well, he thought. I suppose it would be okay to crash at her place for a while. At least until I get some real money. He said to himself. He put in the number code to unlock the door, It clicked in response. He opened the door. He went into his room and scooped up a pile of clothes, Then he walked into the laundry room and tossed the clothes in the washer. The washer made a metallic clang when it shut. Then he started packing up all of his belongings. When he finally got done packing it was ten to eleven. He was going to be late for work. Mr. Bastion would yell at him for sure. But he didn’t care he only had nine more months to work there. He got into his car and drove to Bastion Repair, A local mechanic shop where he worked as an assistant. When he got there it was twenty past eleven. He walked into the garage, just as Mr. Bastion threw a wrench at him and missed horribly. Where the hell have you been Onigawa!? He screamed. Sorry I was packing up, gonna move to a friends house tomorrow. Well this friend of yours better make sure you get to work on time. He grumbled. Until he got off at six o’clock he did everything Mr. Bastion said. Despite the workdays bad beginning Mr. Bastion didn’t make him stay late. By the time Ken got home he was tired. He went into the front room and on the control panel he dialed Mina’s number. Hello? Said Mina. Hey Mina I think I’ll take you up on that offer about staying at your place. He said. Alright. She said. The door will be open at ten. Thanks Mina, Bye. He said. Ken went to his bedroom and laid down, and soon drifted off to sleep. He woke the next morning feeling good. Ken heard the sound of rain tapping on the window. Well, apparently I’m feeling good but the weathers not. He said to himself. He looked at the clock it was ten o’clock. Well I’d better get to Mina’s house. He changed into a track jacket and track pants. He left the house, the door slamming shut behind him. He reached Mina’s house in a little under five minutes. He gave the door a soft knock. The door opened. Mina was wearing a tank top and bunny pajamas. Hey Ken, Come on in.